Palm Beach Currumbin seal back-to-back QAFL flags with 34-point grand final win over Broadbeach

PALM Beach Currumbin have claimed back-to-back QAFL premierships after weathering an early Broadbeach onslaught in this afternoon’s grand final in Brisbane.

PALM Beach Currumbin have claimed back-to-back QAFL premierships after weathering an early Broadbeach onslaught in this afternoon’s grand final in Brisbane.

A seesawing first half at Yeronga’s Leyshon Park gave way to Palm Beach dominance after the main break as the Lions built on last season’s breakthrough flag with a 14.16 (100) to 9.12 (66) victory.

The class of Lions forward Jack Anthony proved the difference, with the former Collingwood and Fremantle star booting five goals to claim the Joe Grant Medal as best on-ground.

COACH CONNECTIONS PAYING OFF FOR COAST CLUB

Broadbeach took a 32-27 lead into the first change before a goalless second term left them trailing 7.7 (49) to 3.6 (36) to the main break.

Anthony grabbed the first goal of the game inside three minutes, but it was Broadbeach who enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges and they hit back through Hewago Oea five minutes later.

A Cats goal shortly afterwards gave the underdogs the lead before Jarryd Douglas slotted home for the minor premiers to level the scores once more.

Jack Anthony kicked five goals for Palm Beach Currumbin to claim the Joe Grant Medal. Picture: Nelson Herbert, Nelpix.

The sides continued to trade goals as Blake Erickson, Oea (Broadbeach), Tom Thynne and Caleb Graham (Palm Beach) got in on the act, with Palm Beach seemingly headed for a quarter-time lead at 27-26 before a Matthew Fowler goal on the siren gave the Cats a five-point advantage at the first change.

The second term began bizarrely with a free kick to Erickson for an infringement after the quarter-time siren and it took until the 17th minute before the first goal of the quarter.

NEW ERA FOR CLUB’S WOMEN

Having collected a bouncing ball near the right-hand behind post, Anthony shrugged the tackle of James Royes and ran into an open goal to restore Palm Beach’s lead.

Two minutes later, Anthony was at it again, marking and converting from 10m out to open up the biggest margin of the match at 43-35.

Another goal from Lions co-captain Jesse Derrick stretched the margin to 13 points at halftime.

Broadbeach forward Matthew Fowler finished with three goals. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Ten minutes into the third term, Anthony marked in front of a massive pack and converted from 40m out but the Cats hit back shortly afterwards when Luke McGuane marked 45m out and offloaded to a running Oea, who kicked home to make it 57-43.

It was again a 20-point margin a minute later though, with Douglas snapping home from 20m out.

A Jason Burge major made it 70-43 in the Lions’ favour before another Fowler goal in final minute of the term renewed the Cats’ belief at 72-51.

LEAGUE’S BIGGEST NAMES SHARE TOP GONG

Palm Beach kicked the first two goals of the final term through Anthony and Thynne to put the game beyond doubt at 87-53, before the sides traded goals in the dying stages.

The result makes Palm Beach the fourth club to win back-to-back flags since 2000, joining Labrador, Morningside and Southport.

After overcoming a slow opening term, Broadbeach won the reserves decider 12.11 (83) to 5.6 (36) against Palm Beach.

The Lions also fell in the colts final, going down 12.19 (91) to 9.15 (69) to the Western Magpies.

QAFL GRAND FINAL SCORES

Palm Beach Currumbin 4.3, 7.7, 10.12, 14.16 (100) def.

Broadbeach 5.2, 5.6, 7.9, 9.12 (66)

GOALS

Palm Beach Currumbin: J. Anthony 5, T. Thynne 2, J. Douglas 2, Z. Harrison 1, J. Burge 1, C. Graham 1, J. Derrick 1, T. Cornish 1

Broadbeach: M. Fowler 3, H. Oea 3, J. Searl 1, R. Blood 1, B. Erickson 1